Skip to main content
See every side of every news story
Published loading...Updated

US national debt tops $40 trillion: These charts offer more context

The debt reached $40.05 trillion as federal borrowing climbed nearly 600% since 2000, Treasury data shows.

  • The U.S. national debt surpassed $40 trillion as of Tuesday's close of business, according to Treasury Department data, rising from about $36.2 trillion when President Donald Trump assumed office in January 2025.
  • Since the turn of the century, national debt has grown nearly 600% as the federal government has not recorded a surplus since 2001, with spending consistently exceeding revenue each year.
  • President Joe Biden's term saw the largest dollar increase at $8.45 trillion with 30.5% growth, while President Donald Trump's first term added $7.81 trillion or 39.1%; Barack Obama's presidency totaled $9.32 trillion across both terms.
  • Federal spending surged by about 50% from fiscal year 2019 to fiscal year 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which began during Trump's first term and continued into Biden's, driving significant debt accumulation.
  • Divided evenly across the current U.S. population, national debt reaches about $116,800 per American, while the Facts Data Team created graphics comparing $1 trillion to median household income to illustrate the magnitude of federal obligations.
Insights by Ground AI

30 Articles

WGALWGAL
+26 Reposted by 26 other sources
Center

US national debt tops $40 trillion: These charts offer more context

The U.S. had about $36.2 trillion in debt when President Donald Trump assumed office in January 2025. From then to now, the national debt has grown by 10.6%.

·Lancaster, United States
Read Full Article
Think freely.Subscribe and get full access to Ground NewsSubscriptions start at $9.99/yearSubscribe

Bias Distribution

  • 90% of the sources are Center
90% Center

Factuality Info Icon

To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium

Ownership

Info Icon

To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage

WPDE broke the news on Thursday, August 20, 2026.
Too Big Arrow Icon
Sources are mostly out of (0)

Similar News Topics

News
Feed Dots Icon
For You
Search Icon
Search
Blindspot LogoBlindspotLocal